Germs and Infections You Could Catch at the Gym

Staphylococcus aureus

What It Is: “S. aureus is bacteria naturally found on the skin and in the respiratory tracts (nose, mouth, throat, lungs),” says Shanna Levine, MD, internist and clinical instructor of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. Symptoms: If it enters your body, it can have pretty nasty physical effects. “It may form an abscess, impetigo, or folliculitis, but also may present as a warm, tender bump, or clogged hair follicle. It can also lead to fevers, fatigue, and chills,” says Dr. Levine.